AAPS 2014-15 Program Enhancements

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ANN ARBOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS 2014-2015

January 29, 2014 Recommendation to the Board of Education

Jeanice K. Swift, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools

2 5 5 5 S . S T A T E S T R E E T , A N N A R B O R , M I 4 8 1 0 4

Board of Education APPROVED

January 29, 2014

2014/15 AAPS Educational Program Enhancements

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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION, 2014-2015:

! A2 Virtual+ Academy • Features a lab classroom in each comprehensive high school:

Huron, Pioneer, & Skyline • Lab classrooms also located at Community and Pathways to Success Campus

! Early Childhood Education

• A combined Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) & Tuition model • Features preschool classrooms for students aged 3 and 4 years

at Allen and Thurston for 2014-2015 • Potential expansion to preschool locations in each cluster for 2015-2016

! K-8 STEAM Campus featuring 1:1 Technology

• Locate at current Northside Elementary • Phased implementation approach, beginning with K-6th grade in ’14-’15 • Add 7th grade in ’15-’16, and 8th grade in ’16-’17 (1 grade per year over 3 yrs) • Features 1:1 Technology for all students

! Pathways to Success Campus

• Localize and improve services and offerings for alternative students • Co-locate Roberto Clemente, A2Tech, GED Program, Options Program, and Adult

Education to the old Stone School location • School programs will retain unique identities for ’14-’15 (e.g. A2 Tech at the

Pathways to Success Campus and Roberto Clemente at the Pathways to Success Campus)

The enhancements below, if approved by the Board, will be coordinated into a district-wide implementation in buildings where there is open capacity:

! 1:1 Technology Initiatives • Implement 1:1 technology at a few targeted locations for ’14-‘15 • Explore Bring-Your-Own-Devices in one middle and one high school location

! Expansion of Young 5’s Program

• Implement Young 5’s at a few targeted locations for ’14-‘15 ! Expand World Languages to select Elementary Schools

• Implement World Languages at a few targeted locations for ’14-‘15 • To include Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Sign Language, and Japanese


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A N N A R B O R P U B L I C S C H O O L SA Virtual+2

Contact Us To Discuss !e Online Options For Your Learning Plan

Personalized Learning

• Virtual courses are available 24/7 to allow for flexibility.

• Courses are available to students in grades 5-12.

• Students can take up to two online courses per academic year

• All virtual courses are supported by a certified teacher.

• Mentors communicate regularly with parents and students.

Cindy [email protected]

Anthony Lauer Online Options [email protected]

www.A2virtual.org

Exceptiona+lA N N A R B O R P U B L I C S C H O O L Sw w w . a 2 s c h o o l s . o r g

Phone: 734-997-1208Fax: 734-994-6377Email: [email protected]

The primary objective for the Ann Arbor Virtual+ Academy is to provide students access to online and extended learning options that will help them to develop a personalized learning path.

A2Virtual+ Academy offers courses to students in grades 5-12. A2Virtual+ welcomesPublic, Non-Public and Homeschools studentswho reside within the Ann Arbor PublicSchool geographic boundary to review the online offerings available.

A2 Virtual+ offering for students beyond our district boundaries will be listed in the State Catalog: www.micourses.org

The mission of the ann Arbor Public Schools is to ensure each student realizes his or her

aspirations while advancing the common good,by creating a wold-class system of innovative teaching ad learning.

Providing Students AccessTo Online Learning

AAPS O!ers Multiple Options For Online Classes

The Ann Arbor Public Schools have been offering online classes to students since 2001.We currently feature our own AAPS onlinecourses, online course content supplied byEdgenuity, and online choices availablethrough Michigan Virtual School.

Most students take online classes to accommodate a learning preference, solve a scheduling conflict, recover credit, or usewhen a student will be out of school for an extended period of time.

To view the courses offered at A2 Virtual+

Academy, please visit the website:www.A2virtual.org

A N N A R B O R P U B L I C S C H O O L SA Virtual+2


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Expand Preschool Offering: GSRP & Tuition Model Our District is committed to closing the achievement gap and one critical component of our success lies in closing the readiness gap. Many AAPS families do not have access to high-quality preschool, which can have a positive, sustaining influence on success in school and beyond. Recent data from the Center for American Progress shows that “more than half of African American children and 63 percent of Hispanic children ages 3 to 4 do not attend preschool.” Closing the achievement gap before it starts to grow requires our investment in early childhood education. In addition to the compelling research, the reputation and quality of the AAPS Tuition Preschool was excellent and there is a high degree of parent support for this program.

Description: The AAPS Preschools would reopen in the 2014-2015 school year at Allen Elementary and Thurston Elementary, serving a combination of tuition and Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) eligible students. This blended enrollment model would allow the District to serve all families while providing at-risk students access to a high quality preschool along side neighborhood peers. One full day and one half day (am/pm) classroom would function at each building as four-day per week (M-TH) programs with a STEAM Friday option. This comprehensive model provides families many options to meet their needs and the blended model supports best practice. Expansion of the program to all five clusters would be possible and anticipated.

Considerations: " Supports the District Strategic Plan in multiple areas, particularly in extending a ‘complete educational

program,’ Strategy 1. " Research supports that quality preschool has long-lasting, positive effects on school success and

beyond. " An ‘early intervention’ to close achievement disparities among groups of students. " A high degree of parent/public support exists for this program. " New design allows for better alignment to District PreK-12 instruction. " Expansion to all 5 clusters (3 additional sites) is possible in the 2015-2016 school year. " Any facility expansion costs would come from the sinking fund.

Expected Budget Impact: Funding will include a combination of GSRP, tuition, and General Fund, with potential for donation funding. Approximately 87% of the costs will be covered by GSRP and tuition with approximately 13% of the costs coming from the General Fund. The classrooms are currently equipped with furniture and most of the materials needed.

Dependent upon the ratio of GSRP and tuition students, current assessment of anticipated costs per classroom is approximately $25,000. per classroom to the General Fund.


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! Northside K-8 STEAM Infusion School The results of Listen & Learn pointed to a significant demand for more K-8 and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programming options in the Ann Arbor Public Schools. In reviewing the success of current lottery options in AAPS, the addition of another K-8 school with a focus on the integration of STEAM programming will enrich learning opportunities for Ann Arbor Public Schools students. The program will support the development of foundational skills needed in STEAM Careers including analytical skills, problem solving, attention to detail, technical skills, communications and collaboration, creative abilities, leadership and organizational skills. In addition to meeting global work place demands, this focus also meets new Common Core State Standards expectations.

Anticipated benefits include: " Attract and retain Ann Arbor students within the AAPS system " Increased student achievement as measured by next generation assessments " Increased student engagement through high-interest, hands-on, project-based learning " Meet global standards through collaboration and integration " Utilize full building capacity via first option for Northside boundary families and lottery for

students choosing from beyond Northside attendance area " Realize the STEAM vision through robust curriculum and after school enrichment " Feature 1:1 technology for all students enrolled at this school

Considerations:

" Establish technology levels appropriate for 1:1 computing funded through the Technology Bond " May attract students to remain in AAPS, particularly at 6th grade " Provides another choice option for families in an area in need of enrollment infusion " Positions AAPS to rise with 21st century learning demands " Possible draw of some enrollment from other AAPS elementary and middle schools (FTE staffing

follows student enrollment demand) Expected Budget Impact: Potential to increase the utilization of Northside school from current enrollment (185) with capacity for approximately 500 – 550 students

" 1:1 Technology provided from the Tech Bond " STEAM curriculum materials is a need " Staff training in STEAM, beginning in spring/summer, 2014


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Pathways to Success Campus Vision: Through the opening of a Pathways to Success Campus, Ann Arbor Public Schools will become a leader in Michigan in serving students whose learning needs are not well-suited to achieving success in the traditional comprehensive high school setting.

Strategic Plan, Strategy #1: We will create a complete educational program featuring personalized learning that realizes student aspirations and meets international standards.

Goals: " To ‘shift our thinking’ in Ann Arbor Public Schools in featuring quality programming for students

who don’t find success in the comprehensive high school setting. " To offer ‘multiple pathways’ to the goal of graduation for all – to ensure multiple, viable ways to

be successful. " To ensure that we offer a full continuum of services and wrap-around supports for students to and

beyond graduation. " All students learn in first-class, success-oriented, personalized environments.

Aligned Pathways to Success Campus will feature:

" Connection – alternative offerings that engage, relate, and connect students " Flexible Schedule – featuring morning, afternoon, evening schedule, year-round opportunities " Flexible Learning Environment – face-to-face, blended learning, online opportunities " Credit Recovery options at the school (students are able to make-up credits) " Career Connections – leading to a certificate, internship, program " Counseling, Social Work, and Mentoring supports " Full student course offerings including language, art, and PE " Health Support - maintain RAHS clinic on-site " Teen Parent Supports - Maintain Parenting Program and Day Care offerings, plus evenings " Food & Nutrition - 3 meals daily, food pantry & weekend backpack meals " Recapture Program to more intentionally reconnect with students who have separated from school " GED Support " Graduation coaching, counseling, mentoring " Individual graduation plan for every student " 1:1 Technology Device – Provided for every Pathways School student attains at least 10 credits

• Allows the transition to digital textbooks for this school

Next Steps: " Leaders and school teams will begin working together to collaboratively complete Action Plan

and coordinate appropriate next steps to co-locate the programs for school year 2014-2015.


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1:1 Instructional Technology Initiative: Increase capacity toward a Mobile Device per Student As Ann Arbor Public Schools adapts the learning environments to educate career and college ready students for the workforce requiring 21st Century skills, providing access to e-learning and technology tools to support creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking has become critical. It is particularly important to develop a strategy to provide increased access to technology for those who may not have access outside of school.

It is recommended that the District increase capacity toward 1:1 initiative in the following areas:

" Implementation at two to three elementary K-1 classrooms: Provide an iPad cart per grade to be used in the Kindergarten and first grade classrooms with an instructional pathway platform tied to assessment information (i.e. eSpark Learning, Campus Odyssey).

" Provide every Pathways School student who has attained at least 10 High School credits at the a device: • Allows the transition to digital textbooks for this school. • Provide communication and collaboration access for new curriculum.

" Explore Bring Your Own Devices in one Middle School and one High School for AAPS Staff and Students to bring devices for educational use under the direction of the Classroom teacher.

Expected Revenue/Costs: The implementation will highlight the innovation of these new initiatives, which may draw more students into these programs and grades. The devices are an eligible Technology Bond expense.

Considerations: Provides a pilot for 1:1 and BYOD to determine which model will better support the mission of and strategic direction of the District.

" Provides a pilot year to establish all necessary technology supports and policies including Mobile Device Management, Filtering, Human Resources, Professional Development, Instructional Platforms and Learning Management Systems.

" Instructional platforms created for the pilots may be accessible by all students (Google Apps for Students).


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Young 5 Expansion Children enter kindergarten with a range of skills, both physical and cognitive. Often children who turn five years of age after June may have a significantly different level of development than children approaching their sixth birthday. A Young 5 program can provide students the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities designed to help them make the adjustment to the school environment and working in a group of students. Many of the students who enroll in Ann Arbor Public Schools experience these activities in preschool programs. Students who have not previously attended preschool or been engaged in other group activities may struggle to keep up with the academic rigor that is required in our kindergarten programs. Other families may not have the resources to provide an academic preschool program for their children. As Michigan is changing the minimum age requirement for a child enrolling in kindergarten, the ‘cut-off’ date will gradually phase in from Dec. 1st to Sept. 1st. Parents will still be able to apply for a waiver for a child who will be five years old by Dec. 1. Description:

" Expand a Young 5 option to other schools in the District. " Provide a full-day program rather than the current half-day to reach more families. " Funding provided through state Foundation Allowance.

Considerations:

" Allows for needed transition period from pre-school to kindergarten. " "Child-centered" with a child to teacher ratio much less than traditional kindergarten. " Provides additional time in developing emotional, social, intellectual, and physical growth, and

encourages the development of fine motor skills needed for kindergarten. " Provides programming to target persistent academic achievement gap issues. " Students can attend the school in their home attendance area where programs are offered. " Full-day programs will help parents who cannot afford preschool or other childcare programs.


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Elementary World Language

" Languages to be offered in select Elementary Schools

" To include Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Sign Language and Japanese

Documents

AAPS 2014-15 Program Enhancements